- The problem
- The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." If a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Owners should promptly check the condition and operation of both front safety belt buckles and carefully inspect the red release button for any breaks or cracks. They should ensure that both buckles are operating properly by inserting each latch plate into its buckle, tugging on the belt to make sure the latch is securely locked, and then pressing the release button. The latch plate should pop out of the buckle when the button is pressed. If either release button shows a sign of breaking or cracking or if either buckle fails to operate properly, owners should promptly contact their authorized dealer to schedule an appointment to have the buckle replaced or repaired, free of charge. The manufacturer is developing a remedy designed to prevent failure of the buttons that are not currently broken.
Vehicle safety record
1990 Geo Metro Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 39 complaints about the 1990 Geo Metro with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (19) and the seats & seat belts (12). Those complaints describe 5 crashes and 3 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1989 has 29 and the 1991 has 51.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Metro year, for its age
#44 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 5
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1990 Geo Metro problems
Share of all 39 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 Geo Metro recalls 2
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Mislocated attaching spot welds of the hood striker assembly cause cracks to start on the hood inner panel. If cracks occur, the hood striker assembly may not properly engage the hood latch when the hood is closed.
- The risk
- An improperly engaged hood latch may result in a hoodfly-up while the vehicle is in motion. This would obstruct the driver's viewand could cause a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Gm dealers will (a) install two bolts and nuts to secure the striker assembly to the hood inner panel, and (b) ensure that the hood latch assembly fasteners are properly tightened.
What owners say
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
39 complaints about the 1990 Geo Metro
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
Inquiring about whether recall # 95v103007 is an actual recall .
The door latch handles stay up when opened. I have 2 door handles doing this, the front passenger side & rear driver's side. When the doors are openen the handles stay up and when the door is pulled shut the door will not latch. The window has to be rolled down and the handle pushed down to latch door. Note: this is not a poor lubrication problem. It may improve slightly, but only temprorarily. If the passenger thinks the door is latched it will open suddenly when the vehicle turns risking fall out of passenger or property or personal injury liability from the door swinging open.
Engine is burning oil while driving, and smoke comes out really badly. Driver can't see traffic behind her. Consumer feels unsafe. *Ak
While vehicle was being driven at 75 mph, latch on the hood on driver's side broke, causing the hood to fly up and break windshield. Driver was able to pull to shoulder safely. Manufacturer was notified about the problem. Hood and windshield have not been replaced. Consumer believes that there was a recall on the hood latch years ago, but is unsure as to whether or not it was done. *Ak *ml
The headlights and dash lights went out while driving. The dash lights came back on but the headlights did not. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *Ak
HOOD LATCH STRIKER BROKE AFTER TWO YEARS. *AK
Dealer has not honored nhtsa recall 95v-103.007/Manufacturer's recall 91c-52, concening seat belt buckle failure since august 10, 1997 up to the present. Consumer has been told on serveral occasions that the kit has not been received, or they would contact consumer when it arrived, need nhtsa's help in this matter. *Ak
It's been 1 month since contacting the dealer concerning hood latch assembly recall. Hood latch is broken so badly that the entire hood needs to be replaced. The dealer is giving me the run around. I've called them 3 times already this week. The dealer is saying that they need approval to repair it and that the main office is checking to see if recall is still in effect. I've been having to drive my car for a month fearing that the hood will fly up and cause an accident. *Ak
Excessive co emmissions. A tsb was issued on this problem.
SEAT BELT RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED.
While driving 60 mph, the hood latch released, causing the hood to go in the upright position which caused no visibility and a broken windshield. *Ak *slc
Received notice (395v10300). Called dealer & set up an appointment. Took vehicle in. Dealer had vehicle for over 2 hours before informing owner they had no parts for vehicle. Would have to get parts from another dealership, if they have any. Not satisfied. *Ak
The driver's side seat belt doesn't restrain the driver. *Ak
Structure of the hood assembly latch recall number 93v189001, consumer had the work corrected in aprilof 95 and on feb 27, 1997 when operating the vehicle the hood flew up. *Ak
Head rest failed to provide proper support in accident, causing head injury.
During a frontal impact accident at 25 mph, front seat belt failure was experienced. The seat belts did not lock in place upon impact.*Ak
OIL PLUG LOOSENED, CAUSING OIL TO LEAK OUT.
During rear end collision, while stopping,, drivers' seatback rest broke, then collapsed rearward, resulting in an injury. *Ak
Consumer side seat belt doesn't restrain. Please describe. *Ak
Hatchback pistons will not properly support the weight of the door. *Sd
Seat belt attached to door, causing driver to be ejected from car when door opened during accident, causing injury. *Dh
Experiencd outside door lock malfunction, rendering doors inoperative from outside when all doors won't open with key. *Ak
Performance chevrolet 93c21/93v189. Owner seeks assistance in having recall repair honored. After three months parts are not available. *Ak
Hood latch broke, causing hood to open while driving, prior to recall.
DOME LIGHT STAYS ON. *DH
Geo Metro: every year compared
All Metro years1990 Geo Metro vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Geo Metro | 39 | 2 | C | |
| 1990 Geo Storm | 46 | 3 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Prizm | 38 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Geo Tracker | 25 | 1 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1990 Geo Metro
Does the 1990 Geo Metro have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1990 Geo Metro: buckle assembly (May 1995); latch (November 1993). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1990 Geo Metro?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (19), seats & seat belts (12), engine & cooling (3).
How many complaints has the 1990 Geo Metro had?
39 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on January 18, 1995 and the latest on March 26, 2003. Of these, 5 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1990 Geo Metro a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 59 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Geo Metro year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Geo Metro years have the most complaints?
1995 (109), 1996 (88), 1994 (69). See every Geo Metro year compared.
What should I do if my 1990 Geo Metro has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data